Jun 3, 2012

5 Ways Lighting Can Improve Your Home

If you are looking to sell your house,
or if you simply want to improve the atmosphere for your own enjoyment, there
are several things you can do to make the most of your house. And these
improvements don’t have to break the bank. The most common ways to make your
home look its best, without making major changes, are using fresh flower arrangements and good lighting.
Although you might not have realised it, lighting has a huge impact on the look
and feel of our homes, and it can make a world of difference.

Lighting largely comes from two places
– windows and electric lights. Buyers often look for places that have good
natural lighting, with big windows. Additions such as skylights add to this and
bring an aura of nature that can’t be obtained artificially.

Nevertheless, artificial lights can
dramatically impact a space, so don’t despair if your home is not blessed with
lots of natural light. Hotel are a prime example of this, they use both flowers and good lighting design to make
the best of rooms that may not have much light or personality otherwise.

So how can lighting improve your home?

1.Security

The most obvious improvement comes in
the form of security. While fancy back-to-base systems, and home automations
provide amazing security, lighting around the exterior of the home, operated by
sensors, will alert you to a guest – wanted or unwanted – immediately. This
improvement in security is all from the simple act of flicking a switch.

2.Feature

Lights can either become a feature of
your room, or highlight it. A beautiful lighting display, unique floor lamp, or
even a just a shade can change the look of your entire room, and command the
attention of your guests. Likewise, a
spotlight directed onto an artwork can make it a true highlight.

3.Ambience

Lighting can also help you achieve your
design desires. If, for example, you are holding a sophisticated dinner in a
dining room influenced by formal English dining rooms, soft lighting will go a
great way to achieving what you’re aiming for.

4.In the Bedroom

It is not often spoken about, but
lighting plays a big role in the bedroom. For those with less confidence, soft,
background lights provide a subtle, sensuous mood. Rather than turning the
lights right out, good lighting can be used to make you feel better about
yourself and enable you to see your loved one.

5.On the Bills

Electricity is rising in price. Solar
power and wind turbines aren’t at full strength yet but that doesn’t mean that
lighting your home has to be expensive. ‘Dollar saver’ light bulbs save an
amazing amount of energy and last a long time, meaning that your lighting
choice can actually play a role in decreasing your bills.